Mobile MIDI Keyboard With Full-Size Keys

IK Multimedia has announced the expansion of its iRig KEYS line with two new products for mobile musicians: iRig KEYS PRO and iRig KEYS with Lightning connector, compact MIDI keyboard controllers with 37 velocity-sensitive keys.

Both iRig KEYS PRO and iRig KEYS come with Lightning-connector, 30-pin and USB cables. These allow musicians to connect all iRig KEYS to any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac/PC model, and provide MIDI control and performance features for Core MIDI apps of all types, such as IK's own SampleTank, iGrand Piano and iLectric piano apps, and its range of Mac/PC virtual instruments. Here's the full details in IK's own words...iRig KEYS PRO: Big features - compact designiRig KEYS PRO is a true "plug and play" professional-quality programmable MIDI controller designed specifically for making music on the go with an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC. It features 37 velocity-sensitive full-size keys for 3 full octaves plus one note - allowing for realistic-feeling, two-handed playing. Even with pro features like mod and pitch wheels, illuminated octave and program buttons, 4 programmable "sets" for storing complete setups, and a programmable continuous-controller volume knob, iRig KEYS PRO is 30% smaller than any other full-size key MIDI controller that can be played with two hands.

iRig KEYS PRO comes complete with Lightning-connector and 30-pin cables for plugging directly into the dock connector of any iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. A USB cable is included for direct Mac or PC connection. With standard Core MIDI support, you can play any compatible virtual instrument or recording app on your iOS device or computer from Apple's GarageBand to IK's SampleTank. iRig KEYS PRO needs no AC adapter or batteries, it draws its power from the device it's connected to, and it even features an auxiliary mini-USB port to provide it with power during performance, allowing the battery on the mobile device to be conserved.

Programming and expansioniRig KEYS PRO also has powerful programming features that are useful during live performance and in the studio. Players can program iRig KEYS PRO with different set-ups and store them in one of the 4 "Set" banks. When iRig KEYS PRO is in Edit mode, the user can set the MIDI transmit channel, velocity (touch) response, assign Control Change numbers to the Volume/Data knob, send custom Program Change messages, transpose the keyboard in semi-tones and more.

iRig KEYS PRO also sports an expansion jack for adding a sustain pedal (not included) for a realistic piano feel, or an expression pedal that sends MIDI continuous controller data that can control parameters such as volume, rotary speaker speed, tremolo and vibrato speed and more, on the connected app or software instrument.

FREE software for instant playability, universal compatibilityiRig KEYS PRO comes with SampleTank FREE* for iPhone/iPod touch and iPad, IK's award-winning multi-part sound module designed for live performance and recording, and the iGrand Piano FREE* app, a high-quality studio-sampled grand piano sound module. Both apps are expandable with sounds from IK's massive collection of sound libraries, and provide musicians with tools for complete music production.

iRig KEYS PRO is also right at home in the studio, and works seamlessly with DAW software, including GarageBand, Logic Pro and many others. It's also perfect for controlling virtual instrument plug-ins such as IK's SampleTank, Sonik Synth, SampleMoog™, SampleTron and Miroslav Philharmonik. For Mac/PC use, iRig KEYS PRO comes with SampleTank 2L**, the full-featured professional sound workstation that includes over 2 GB of professional samples, which cover all instrument categories.

iRig KEYS with Lightning connectoriRig KEYS with Lightning connector is IK's new version of the ultra popular iRig KEYS portable mini keyboard and now comes with a Lightning-connector cable for connecting iRig KEYS to the newest Apple devices, including the new iPad, iPad mini and iPhone 5 series. It shares the same powerful features of iRig KEYS PRO but with a more compact build so it only takes up minimal space on your desktop and can easily fit in a backpack or a carry-on bag.

* Available on the App Store.** Register and download on the IK Multimedia online User Area.

Pricing and Availability:

iRig KEYS PRO is priced at $149.99/€119.99 MSRP (excl. tax), and is available now from the IK network of music and electronic retailers around the world and the IK online store. iRig KEYS with Lightning connector is priced at $129.99/€99.99 (excl. tax) and is available now from music and electronics retailers worldwide.

5 Comments...Comments are closed while we transition to DisqusBlurp Said...

This is just great. Buying one immediately. I've been looking for something exactly like this for years. Looks like other manufacturers missed the opportunity to fill this gap in the market.

03-Dec-13 05:31 AM

cRaIgMoNtAlVo2009 Said...

I WOULD NEVER buy from them, horrible products according to so many bad reviews from people -couldn't get their junk working, I tried some of their software demos, probably the same hardware problems.., so hard to use.. looks nice on the outside, garbage under the hood, apparently.. the ik legacy...

03-Dec-13 07:31 PM

Said...

I'm very pleased with my iRig Keys. Works fine.

04-Dec-13 11:07 AM

Johnny Bones Said...

@cRaIgMoNtAlVo2009 - It's obvious you have an axe to grind against this company. But what have you actually got to go on? A vague third hand account from other owners and you used a few free demos you downloaded who knows how long ago that you didn't like probably because they had some feature limitations. I bought one of their software bundles and not only was it loaded with more samples than I could ever possibly use it works perfectly and it was bargain priced. And you'll find literally scores of videos on Youtube showing people happily playing the original iRig Keys Keyboards. I also checked the reviews looking specifically for people complaining about them not working from the start or failing over time. I didn't find any that I can recall. You can always find a few jerks complaining about insignificant issues on any product. And every company puts out a dud from time to time. So there's definitely a question where you're coming from and what your motives are and why you're badmouthing this company and it's products.

04-Dec-13 11:15 AM

RP Said...

I have to say, IK multigreedia get the biggest battering on forums, so irrispective of the quality of any new product they produce it's always tainted.

It's a shame really, if they weren't such whores for the almighty dollar they really do put out a lot of IOS products. Charging In App consistently for functions that should absolutely be free, making relatively expensive apps not universal between iPad and iPhone, forcing advert popups for their other products on the paidpro versions of apps and consistently selling their products for 50% weeks after releasing them thus burning early adopters (that last one is just bad product strategy), all reasons they get such a bad rap.